A Reborn Bride Pearl Emerging from Dust by Sally Garcia

Calliope's face was calm as she looked at Lisette. "So what?"

"What do you mean, ‘so what'?” Lisette had expected Calliope to snap, maybe get flustered or angry. Instead, Calliope just coolly shot the question right back at her, which only made Lisette's face tighten in frustration.

"So I'm pathetic, so what?" Calliope shrugged. "You think you're better off than me? Sure, Zelda dotes on you right now, but what does Zelda even have to give?"

Calliope's voice was steady, almost bored. "I'm nothing like you. Zelda doesn't like me, but I have the company. I have my husband's love. And I have money."

"The company? If I want it, I take it. If I want to keep it, I keep it. You? You get nothing."

"Oh, and Monty and the others are always trying to win me over. You know that, right? They don't love me, but they still try to get on my good side. In fact, I think they're planning to freeze you out for my sake."

Calliope gave a little shrug, as if this was all trivial. "Honestly? If anyone here is the pitiful one, it's you."

She ticked off the points on her fingers. "You're broke. Worse, you're in debt. Nobody at the office even likes you. Who besides Zelda would even bother with you?"

before you waste time

stood there, her face turning a sickly shade of green, staring at

with everything, never fighting back, barely saying a word. Lisette was used to being the one dishing out frustration, not

now? Now Calliope was biting back, and biting

made it worse was that Calliope was right. All Lisette had was Zelda's affection, and right now, that wasn't worth much. Zelda herself had nothing to give. What Lisette needed was Monty and the others on her side, that was the only way she'd get any power in the company, any

just like that. Lisette didn't even have a real voice in the company

her face dark. She'd gone in hoping to rattle Calliope, but somehow ended up infuriating herself

muttered curses under her breath. Not too loud, though, she

turned the corner, she ran into Valerian. He was carrying a little box

for her, but Valerian

off to? Is that cupcake for someone?" She forced a smile, certain he'd

It's for Callie. She's been working her tail off these

shrug. "You got work to get back to,

said, kicious. I love those.